OKINAWA, JAPAN — August 27, 2010 — Over 3,000 full-time professional DoDEA Pacific educators and support staff returned to DoDEA Pacific schools this week to make final preparations for more than 23,000 returning students on Monday, Aug. 30.
Area, district and school personnel and contractors across DoDEA Pacific’s 48 schools have been working throughout the summer recess to improve school buildings and grounds, order materials and supplies, hire teachers and staff, refine master schedules and bus routes, and conduct professional development and training.

The first day of school is always special for students and their families and while DoDEA Pacific enjoys broad community support, ongoing parental involvement is a key factor in student achievement. There are numerous opportunities for parents and volunteers at each school to assist teachers in classrooms, coach and mentor through after school activities, serve on advisory committees, and more. Information on how to get involved is available at each school office: http://www.pac.dodea.edu/aboutus/contacts/ContactSchools.htm

In celebration of the new school year, parents and community members are welcome and encouraged to attend back to school ceremonies and activities being held at communities across the Pacific. Many schools will host official back to school events on the morning of Aug. 30. DoDEA Pacific schools also offer open houses and other special events during the first few weeks of the school year to welcome returning and new students and families. Families are encouraged to contact the school office for specific times and locations for these special events.

The following provides general information about summer improvement projects and back to school activities in each DoDEA Pacific District.

Guam District:
The Guam District welcomes new Superintendent Dr. Steven Bloom and new Assistant Superintendent Jeff Arrington. Several school improvement projects took place over the summer including a kitchen expansion at Guam High School.
The Guam District has welcome back activities or open houses planned at all four schools. Contact the individual school office for scheduled events:

http://www.pac.dodea.edu/aboutus/contacts/ContactSchools.htm#Guam

Japan District:
Many of the Japan District schools underwent school improvement projects over the summer including flooring, roof replacement, interior and exterior painting, gym renovations, and more. Yokota High School will introduce a newly established Air Force JROTC unit this school year. A special ceremony is being planned to commemorate the many successful years provided by the previous Army JROTC unit. The Japan District has welcome back activities or open houses planned at all 21 schools. Contact the individual school office for scheduled events:

http://www.pac.dodea.edu/aboutus/contacts/ContactSchools.htm#Japan

Korea District:
Summertime improvement projects across the Korea District included $600,000 in major renovations at Seoul American Middle School; playground replacements at Daegu American School, Osan American Elementary School, and Seoul American Elementary School; a renovated science room at Seoul American High School, and numerous other repairs and updates. The new Casey Elementary School on Camp Casey opens for the new school as the first-ever DoDEA school located in Area I. Casey ES represents clear progress in welcoming more military families to South Korea through the United States Forces Korea tour normalization initiative. The dedication ceremony for Casey ES is scheduled for Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m. and will include senior military and civilian leaders, and other special guests. Welcome back activities or open houses are planned at all 10 schools. Contact the individual school office for scheduled events:

http://www.pac.dodea.edu/aboutus/contacts/ContactSchools.htm#Korea

Okinawa District:
Schools across the Okinawa District completed numerous repairs and updates to schools throughout the summer. Projects ranged from plumbing and roof repairs to improvements for student drop-off and pick-up areas. Bob Hope Primary and Amelia Earhart Intermediate Schools received new heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units and seven schools across the district added 11 Kindergarten classes to continue lowering student-to-teacher ratios in the early childhood grades. Welcome back activities or open houses are planned at all 13 schools. Contact the individual school office for scheduled events:

http://www.pac.dodea.edu/aboutus/contacts/ContactSchools.htm#Okinawa

About DoDEA Pacific:
DoDEA Pacific provides a comprehensive preK-12 education to the children of military and eligible civilian personnel families serving throughout Asia. The 48 schools in DoDEA Pacific are comprised of more than 23,000 students and 3,100 full-time professional educators and support staff. The schools are geographically organized into four districts: Guam, Japan, Okinawa and South Korea.